Jar cap remover with cap engaging rollers



April 13, 1954 F. A. THEIS 2,674,911

JAR CAP REMOVER WITH CAP ENGAGING ROLLERS Filed March 14, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 13, 1 954 JAR CAP REMOVER WITH CAP ENGAGING ROLLERS Frederic A. Theis, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Harry S. Bodanis, Chicago, Ill.

Application March 14, 1952, Serial No. 276,532

1 Claim. (01. 81-3.44)

My invention relates to implements designed for the removal of jar caps such as in mason or other types which are screwed on the jar, and one object is to provide a device of the above character which renders the removal operation easy.

A further object is to design an implement of the above character which employs a pair of jaws carrying rollers for engagement with the jar cap when the jaws are applied, such rollers operating to expand the metal of the jar cap and cause it to loosen from the threads of the jar, whereby to facilitate the unscrewing of the cap.

Another object is to apply the rollers to the jaws in opposed pairs, whereby to apply an even grip to the cap not only for expanding the metal thereof, but also for crushing or pulverizing such material as dried food or other substances lodged between the threads of the cap and the jar and operating to tighten the engagement thereof.

An additional object is to devise an implement of the above character which contains additional facilities for kitchen or home use.

With the above objects in view, and any others which may suggest themselves from the description to follow, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a topplan view of the novel implement; v V

Fig. 2 is a right-hand side view of the upper portion of Fig. l; s

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and illustrating the application of the implement to a jar cap;

Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmental modifications of the implement jaws showing different types of rollersfor the same;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a modification of the implement employing band-type of material; Fig. '7 is a section on the line l'! of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a second modification involving a screw-type of feed;

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of a frame-type of modification which may be laid over the jar to engage its cap by a screw feed;

Fig. 11 is a front elevation of the showing in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a further modification similar to that of Fig. 10, but having the form of a wall bracket; and

Fig. 13 is a front elevation of the showing in Fig. 12.

In accordance with the foregoing, specific reference to the drawings indicates the implement to be formed by a pair of fiat steel members 20 which are crossed and have a free rivet 2| at their crossing point. In one direction from the closed. In addition, one of'the jaws is'iormed with a finger 26 at the outer end, such finger being designed to snap into an indentation 2'! made in a similar position in the companion jaw, whereby to keep the jaws closed.

The members 20 extend in a direction opposite from the pivot 2| to form a pair of shanks 3% which lie in closely spaced relation as shown in Fig. 1 when the jaws 23 are closed. However, the rivet 2| carries a torsion spring 3! which is effective on the'members 20 to open the jaws when the shanks 3B are separated. The shanks carry handle mountings 33; also, one of the handles carries a pivoted latch 35 which may be swung over the companion handle as shown to insure the maintenance of the implement in the closed position as long as its use is not desired.

The jaws 23 of the implement carry studs 31 in'opposed pairs, such studs projecting from both sides of the jaws and receiving freely journaled circular rollers 38. Fig. 4 shows that a hexagonal modification 39 of such rollers may be employed if desired, and Fig. 5 shows an elliptical modification 40 which is also optional. Further,- while the rollers 38, 39 or 40 are described and 7 shown in pairs, they may be used singly on the studs 31 if desired. Also, the rollers 33 may be hollow-rimmed like pulleys.

The conventional use of the implement involvesthe application of its double rollers to a standard jar cap 42 as shown in Fig. 3. The pairs of rollers 38 are so spaced or free as to readily adapt themselves to fit between the threads of the jar cap, as shown; and the application of the implement after the roller-bearing jaws have engaged a cap as described is by squeezing the handles 33 and rotating the implement back and forth around the cap. The pressure exerted by the rollers will impart an ironingout or attenuating influence on the metal of the jar cap, so that such metal will expand slightly and loosen the cap from the jar. On the other hand, should a film or layer of congealed or hardened food substance form an adhering medium between the cap and the jar, the presthe ends of the loop extending in companion,

relation to form handles 46. Fig.7 shows that lugs 41 are bent in from one edge-of the band 45;-

at spaced points to form bearings for the roller studs 31.

The modification of Figs. 8 and 9 issimilar to the main portion of that of Figs. 6 and '7. However, it is seen in Fig. 8 that the end portions of the loop 49 carry receptacles 50 and the latter being tapped in alinement for the passage ofla. screw. 52 carried by thereceptacle 50, the

same. having a handle 53.v Thus, the rotation, ofv this handle causes the .loop liltocontract, or.

expand.

The modification of Figs. andll involves a V frame 55 which carries one set of the rollers 38,

and a cross-head 55 which carries the. Opposite The cross-head is slidablealong set of rollers. the frame; and a screwfeed 5? controlled by a knob 58.is provided ,for the gathering, or separation of the setsof rollers The modification of Figs. 12 and 13jis generally similar to that ofFigs. 10 andll, except that, the frame in the latermodification is made with,

a hinge 59 at the end .opposite from theknob 58 for the extensionof the device from a wall plate 60. Thus, when the device is not in use, it may be folded down to hangon thewall.

While the main form of the implement is largely devoted to the use described, it also affords the provision of several sundry facilities which are useful in the kitchen or home. Thus,

the tooth formation inthe remote end of the device may constitute the jaws 23 as a pair of pliers to grip odd articles. Thehandle shanks also have a pair of arcuate tooth formations 62 which may serve as jaws to grip caps of bottles or small jars or toturn bolts or nuts inv the manner of a wrench. Further, one of the mem-. bers 20 is made with a notch 65 which maybe applied edgewise to certain caps for lifting thesame oif. Further along the same member 20,

a hook-shaped notch 63 is made, which facilitates the use of the implement as a crown; cap-opener. A similar notch 67 is made further along the same member 29 to define an intermediate lug 68. This lug is suitablefor prying use to remove pressed tops on jelly jars and the like. One of thejaws 23 is also equipped with a cylindrical pin 70 which is bifurcated at H .toreceive-the jaw and be secured to the same by a cross-rivet 12. Or, a bolt and nut may be employed to render the pin detachable. The outer end of the pin 10 is flat, and the pin may be used as a hammer to drive tacks or nails wherever required.

In conclusion, it will be apparent that the novelimplement is of a character to render the loosening and Opening of a, tight jar, cap easy by reason of the roller-bearing jaws of the implement. Further, the latter is of flat construction, so that it may be thrown into a drawer with other utensils to occupy a small space while it is not in use. Finally, the implement is equipped with a number of additional features which render it handy for various and sundry uses in the kitchen or household.

While I have described the invention and its modifications along specific lines, various minor changes or refinements may be made therein without departing from theprinciple thereof,

and I reserve the right to employ allsuch changes and refinements as may come within thescope and spirit of the appended claim.

I claim:

A jar cap remover comprising a pair of menp.

bers of fiat stripmaterial freely pivoted to each other, a pair of handles extended from the members in one direction from the pivot, a pair of opposed arcuate jaws extended from the members in the opposite direction from the pivot, said jaws adapted to receive a threaded jar cap between them when the handles are opened out, and means carried by the jaws and applicable to the rim threads of the jar cap when the ban dies are gathered to impose any ironing-out influence on the material of said threads as the implement is swung around the jar cap, whereby to create. a tendency in the rim to loosen from a jar on which the cap is secured, said means comprising rollers carried by said jaws in positions to engage said threads.

References Cited in thefile of this patent UNITED STAIES PATENTS j 

